The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-06-04
Street Of t1e Burnt Woman
 A Legend of Mexico.
BY |. II, ADDS.

X we'll known street of the Mexican capital is La Guile de lo QHeRd6a, or The Street of the Burnt Woman.' whose romantic story is told in an an cicnt parchment document, dusty and long forgotten.
 It was two centuries ago that the actors i'll this drama lived and moved and had their being, but the story of their lives comes down to Us of to- day full of a fresh and vivid memory. as of people we might know. And strangely enough il k a pleasant story. too. notwithstanding its dark stain al human suffering; perhaps because, tragic as were the events, the outcome of intense passions, they partook not of the taint of intrigue, of trcachery and dishonor that too often character ized the love affairs of the hot hlooded Spanianls. For this is story of love and heroic sacrifice. and the lessons it teaches are all sweet and wholesome.
 Marina .Anaya was one of the love- Hest maidens of Nueva Hispana. Hers was that rare beauty. at once glowing and gentle. that fills the hearts of men and women alike with ycarning ten derneSS. On her sweet face bless ing." said a hideous bcggar crone. one day on the Paseo. turning to look after the girl: '.it would warm my heart Ia clasp her in my arms. The day seems brighter, the world seems better. since she came near. long to serve her to put myself between her and some danger"
 In short. Marina was one of the few beings gifted with the faculty of win ming the love of all She had not an enemy in the world. She lived q sim pie lite enough !a the house of her parents. making their lives bright. going her daily round with an even cheerfulnes> of spirit, and gladly talk ing her share of such amusement and social sunshine a> was possible with her day and race. She was no saint. Marina. but neither was she CO., quctte. scold. bigot. nor an empty headed doll-but sweet. true, pure milric-i woman. Ii was deemed strange. in her tide circle of acquaint- ance. that Marina had no lover. Suit ors had she galore, to choose from whom she needed but raise her finger But she elected not to choose. Why should 1 wed?" she would ask when questioned with urgence. simply to have a husband: But what is hus- band worth if he is not dear: And better that | should live to rob the saints. aS is our saving, than to marry but for that it is the custom and af- terward meet one to whom all the heart goes forth. Ay DjoS.' what misery Nay. nay. think my pa rents love me: and, until they send me from their home. will not marry. unless 1 come to love" And in that day. to follow course required even more than to-day of firmness. resolu- tion and singleness of purpose.
 Marina had her reward There came change in the vice-rovalty- the vicerovs were changed sometimes; the regal master occasionally opined that his representative thought of the subject first; and now and again one embarked for another kingdom. to render there account of his earthly statesmanship. Thus. a new viceroy came to Mexico, and with him came Leonel de la Montana. a comedy youth of ancient lineage, specially detailed by Philip the Second for the journey to tine new world. lie was noble. handsome. rich. Was aught else lack ing. Midst the absolute youth of the day might one look for a saint: Such. indeed, WAS not Leonel de Ia Montana; he was a soldier. who had fought well and to his own fame in the campaign of Flanders, and he had soldiers faults. But he was also a brave and knightly man. whose sins were never base nor loathsome, and, judged by the standard of the time, he was exccp- tional as to honor and morals.
 He met Marina soon after his arrival. who shall say how or where: on the paseo of those days, at church or al one of the infrequent fertuiias of the time: And from the first time he saw her he lived and breathed but for Marina Anaya, and he made his court with such eager assiduity that they were soon betrothed. And Marina found ill her lover the fulfillnient of her ideal, the realization of that stand ard, lacking which she had been con- 1 tent to live unwedded- Her every wish and aspiration were satisfied by